GEDA Invites EoI for Marketing and Distribution of E-Rickshaws

The Road to Gujarat

The Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) has invited Expression of Interest (EoI) for the authorization of manufacturers for marketing and distribution of battery operated three wheelers (E-Rickshaws) in Gujarat under GEDA BOV (Battery Operated Three-Wheeler) subsidy scheme for 2018-19. 

The company’s satisfying the offer evaluation criteria as per the terms of the EoI will qualify for the authorisation up to 31st March 2019. Interested manufacturers need to submit their offers with non-refundable Processing Fee and an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) in favour of Gujarat Energy Development Agency payable at Gandhinagar. The state plans to marketing 600 battery operated three wheelers (E-Rickshaw) in the state up to March 31, 2019.

The battery operated E-Rickshaws with lead-acid batteries sold under the program should be covered under comprehensive warranty against any manufacturing defect for a period of one year from the date of sale. Lithium-ion batteries shall be covered under three years warranty from the date of sale. The
manufacturer shall undertake or shall arrange for repairs/replacements free of cost during the
warranty period. Under the GEDA BOV scheme with State Govt. subsidy of Rs. 30,000/- (For Vehicles with Lead Acid batteries) & Rs. 40,000/- (For Vehicles with Lithium-ion batteries) for the year 2018-19 from interested reputed Manufacturers only.

The last date of physical submission of EoI is November 5, 2018.

The state had recently provided a subsidy to around 2,000 buyers who purchased two-wheeler EVs. A subsidy of Rs 10,000 (~$156) for purchasing an EV two-wheeler was provided to each beneficiary. The incentive was part of GEDA’s plan to implement a subsidy program for school students (standards 9 to 12) as well as college students in the cities of Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, Surat, Gandhinagar. The state government’s plan is aimed at increasing the uptake of EVs in the state.

The centre has also been proactive with various subsidies to promote EVs that can be used for mass transportation, however, no scheme under the central government covers or considers E-Rickshaws as a part of the EV fleet yet. Recently, we reported that the Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises on behalf of the government had extended the duration of the first phase of the Faster Adoption of (Hybrid) and Electric Vehicles (FAME) program aimed at facilitating the widespread adoption of electric vehicles for a period of 6 months or until the second phase of the program is implemented. 

Earlier, we reported that the Fame II scheme will be kicked off on October 1, 2018, while offering subsidies to all categories of electric vehicles including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, as well as four-wheelers including taxis and electric buses. An inter-ministerial panel had finalized the next stage of the roadmap for the FAME India scheme with an outlay of around Rs 5,500 crore spanning over five years and subsidy support for all types of electric vehicles (EVs).